261   Cost of protective works

(1)  Of the cost to the Minister of constructing and maintaining any protective works:

(a)  the public authority whose works are protected by the protective works is liable to contribute such percentage as the Minister may determine, and

(b)  the Hunter Catchment Management Trust is liable to contribute one-quarter of the balance.

(2)  The Minister may pay to any public authority that constructs or maintains any protective works such amount as the Minister considers appropriate towards the cost to the public authority of so doing.

(3)  The Hunter Catchment Management Trust is liable to pay to the Minister one-quarter of any amount paid to a public authority under subsection (2).